Minaret

I have a book suggestion for anyone wanting to learn a bit about Muslim culture. Minaret, by Leila Aboulela, tells the story of the woman behind the hijab, if you will. It centers around a woman named Najwa, who was once a rich, Westernized daughter of a bureaucrat in Khartoum, Sudan. However, political turmoil changes her life drastically, and she ends up in London. There, she finds comfort and wisdom in traditional Muslim ways.


I have never known much about Islam or Sudan, so I found this book really interesting and informative. It also made me think about some of the similarities between Christianity and Islam and the good things about each. It is so easy to think about the bad things that religious zealots do, but there is so much wisdom in the old religions too.

For example, one of Najwa's prayers:

"My Lord, You are the One who created us, You are the One who guides us, You are the One who feeds us and when we fall ill You are the One who cures us. My Lord forgive us our sins... My Lord give us from your Mercy and blessing so that we can love what You love and so that we can love all those actions and words that bring us closer to You."

And later in the book:

"Can I ask forgiveness for someone else, someone who's already dead?

Yes, you can. Of course you can. And you can give charity in their name and you can recite the Qur'an for their sake. All these things will reach them, your prayers will ease the hardship and loneliness of their grave or it will reach them as bright beautiful gifts. Gifts to unwrap and enjoy and they will know that this gift is from you."

Besides all that, the story was really good, the characters were fascinating, and her writing style is very direct and pleasant to read. I recommend it.